US Navy Secretary John Phelan leaves post amid Iran war in latest Pentagon shake-up
The Pentagon shakeup continued as US Navy Secretary John Phelan suddenly departed during the Iran war, with Trump-backed combat veteran Hung Cao taking over temporarily.
Read MoreTrump news at a glance: Pentagon replaces secretary of the navy amid US blockade in strait of Hormuz
John Phelan is ‘departing the administration, effective immediately’ says Pentagon as undersecretary Hung Cao takes over – key US politics stories from 22 April 2026 at a glanceThe Pentagon announced on Wednesday that the navy’s top civilian official, John Phelan, the secretary of the navy, is leaving his job.In a statement posted to social media,…
Read MorePentagon says Navy secretary is leaving, the latest departure of a top defense leader
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said John Phelan, the Navy’s top civilian official, was “departing the administration, effective immediately.” Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao will become acting secretary of the Navy.
Read MoreNavy secretary departs immediately as undersecretary takes over in acting role
Navy Secretary John C. Phelan departs the administration effective immediately. Undersecretary Hung Cao will serve as acting secretary of the Navy.
Read MorePete Hegseth fires U.S. Navy secretary John Phelan
John Phelan is “departing” as U.S. Navy secretary, the Pentagon said Wednesday.Why it matters: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s firing of Phelan caught many off-guard, and as the now-former navy secretary was added to a growing pile of military officials who either abruptly exited or were pushed out of their posts under Trump 2.0.Driving the news:…
Read MorePentagon says Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving, in latest departure of a top defense leader
Secretary of the Navy John Phelan speaks, as President Donald Trump listens, at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, Dec. 22, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)2026-04-22T21:45:21Z WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon announced Wednesday that the Navy’s top civilian official, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, is leaving his job.In a statement posted to social…
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